It's no secret that the festive season is a time for joy, happiness and indulging in all sorts of delicious food, but many people worry about gaining weight at the super decadent time of year. However, you may not need to worry, as a personal trainer, who happens to be a super ripped gym mum, has shared simple things you can do to prevent the problem.
Shannon Collins, 46, is known for sharing fitness advice online and she helps people to tone up and achieve weight loss without imposing huge restrictions. In a post about Christmas, she said people can start making simple changes to aid their bodies and their health over the festive period.
The mum explained you can still enjoy yourself and eat some pretty delicious food. The key, according to Shannon, is ensuring you balance this with exercise and follow a few simple rules along the way.
In an Instagram post, Shannon wrote: "It doesn’t need to be the norm to gain weight over the holidays and start [January] up another 5lbs. Every day and every meal from now until January doesn’t need to be a free for all.
"There is lots of time to be making progress and even lose fat. Wouldn’t it be cool to be starting off in control?
"There is never going to be the perfect time. The key is making the most of your time and keeping the mindset that something is better than nothing."
As someone who often posts snaps of herself flaunting her ripped abs, Shannon is someone you probably want to listen to. She knows her stuff, and wants to help others keep on track throughout the holidays.
The mum said you don't need to be "perfect", you just need to be consistent enough to avoid the "rebound spiral". She claimed you should ensure you move every day, and achieve your step goals, while still enjoying yourself.
Another good thing to do, she said, is ensure you add fibre and protein to every meal you eat. Drinking plenty of water is deemed essential, as you can often snack when you feel dehydrated.
According to Shannon, there's another big mistake people make during Christmas, and that's "saving calories" for festive treats. She urged people not to skip meals, as this can seriously end up backfiring.
On the topic of treats, she also noted it's important to be picky with them. Only opt for the ones you really enjoy, as eating things simply because they're there can lead to unnecessary weight gain.
Shannon also stressed the importance of sleep. When you're tired, it can lead to "poor appetite control", according to the personal trainer.
On the topic of alcohol, she said it's "best" not to drink it but, if you're going to drink it, it's wise to have a few rules in place. Avoid having multiple drinks a week and maybe skip dessert if you're going to have a few tipples.
Shannon said there's no need to feel "guilty" for enjoying yourself, as you can always get back on track. However, it's wise to be mindful about overindulging if you want to avoid fat gain.
What should I be eating every day?The NHS website states: "You need energy from calories for your body to work properly. Your body uses this energy to function properly.
"To stay at around the same weight, the calories your body uses should be the same as the amount of calories you eat and drink."
Generally, the NHS saysan average man needs 2,500kcal a day and an average woman needs 2,000kcal a day. However, this could differ based on your age, weight, height and how much exercise you do.
If you're worried about your weight at all, or need to help to control it, contact your GP for further advice. Always seek professional guidance before making any drastic changes to your diet.
